The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-07-15
The Presidents Letters,
HE wiTuDRAws HIS ACCEPTANCE OF TUE
INVITATION TO ST LOUIS.

President Cleveland will not attend
the Grand Army encampment at ST
Louis, as seen by the following letter
from the president to Mayor Francis
of that city:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
July 4, 1sS7-Hon Ddyid r. Francis
Mayor and Chairmdn-MY DEAR
SIR: When I received the extremely
cordial and gratifying invitation from
the citizens Of st. Louis, rendered by a
number of her representative men, to
visit that city during the national en-
campment of the Grand Army of the
Republic, l had been contemplating for
some time the acceptance of the iuvi-
tation from that organization to the
same effect, and had considered the
pleasures which it would afford me If
it should be possible to meet not only
members of the Grand Army, but the
people of ST. Louis and other cities in
the west, which the occasion would
give me an opportunity to visit. The
exactions of my public duties l felt to
be 30 uncertain, however, that when
first confronted by the delegation OF
which you were the head, l expected
to do no more at that time than to
promise the consideration of the double
invitation rendered me, and express
the pleasure it would give me to accep,
the same thereafter, if possible.
But the cordiality and sincerity OF
your presentation, reinforced by the
heartiness of the people who surround.
ed you, so impressed me that / could
not repress the feeling which prompted
me to assure you on the spot that
would be with you and the Grand Army
of the Republic at the time designated
if nothing happened in the meantime
to absolutely prevent my leaving
Washington.
Immediately upon the public an
nouncement of this conclusion express
ions emanating from certain important
members of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and increasing IN volume
and virulence, constrained me to review
my acceptance of those invitations
The expressions referred to 60 to the
extent of declaring that | would be an
unwelcome guest at the time and place
of the national encampment. This
statement is based, as we'll as can
Judge, upon certain official acts of mine
involving important public interests,
done under the restraints and obliga
tions of my oath of office, which do not
appear to accord with the wishes of
some members of the Grand Army Of
the Republic.
I refuse to believe that this organi-
zation founded by patriotic ideas, com.
posed very largely of men entitled to
lasting homer and consideration, and
whose crowning glory it should be that
they are American citizens as well as
veteran soldiers, deems il part Of its
mission to compass any object or pur
pose by attempting to intimidate the
executive or coerce those charged with
making and executing the laws. And
yet the expressions to which / have re.
ferred indicate such a prevalence of un.
friendly feeling and such a menace to
an occasion which should be harmon
ious, peaceful and cordial that they
cannot be ignored.
beg you to understand that am
not conscious of any act of mine that
should make me fear to meet the Grand
Army of the Republic or any other
assemblage of my fellow-citizens. The
account of my official stewardship il
always ready for presentation to my
countrymen. l should not be frank il
l failed to confess, while dlsclaimine
all resentment, that have been hurt
by the unworthy and wanton attacks
upon me growing out of this matter,
and the reckless manner in which my
actions and motives have been misrep
resented, both publicly and privately,
for which, however, the Grand Army
of the Republic, as body, is by nc
means responsible.
The threats of personal violence and
harm in case l undertake the trip in
question, which scores of misguided
unbalanced men, under the stimulation
of excited feeling, have made, are moi
even considered. Rather tl.an abandon
my trip to the west and disappoint your
citizens light, if | alone were con
cerned, submit to the insult, to which
it is quite openly asserted would be
helplessly subjected if present at the
encampment but l should bear with
me there the peoples highest office, the
dignity of which l must protect, and
believe that neither the Grand Army
of the Republic as an organization mol
anything like majority Of its mem
bers would ever encourage any scandal
GUS attack upon it. If, however, among
the membership of this body there arr
some as certainly seems to be the case
determined to 1enounce me and m,
official acts at..he national enoampmen
believe they should lie permitted tc
Go 80 unrestrained Dy my presence a.
guest of their organization or as
guest of the hospitable oity il
in which their meeting is held. 4
number of grand army posts have sig
nified their intention, ! am informed
to remain away from the encampmen
in case ! visit the city at that time
Without considering the merit of sucl
an excuse feel that ] ought not to b
the cause of such n-stteudanee Tn,
time and place of the encampment wer
fixed long before my invitations wer
received Those desirous to partici
pate in its proceedings should be frs
regarded, and nothing should be pei
mitted to interfere with their intentions
Another consideration of more i'm
portance than all others remains to b
noticed. The fact was referred to yo
when you verbally presented the invi
tation of the citizens of st. Louis tina
the coming encampment of the Gran
Army of the Republic would be tn
first held in southern state. l SUI
pose this fact was mentioned as a plea:
ing incident of the fraternsl feelin
fast gaining ground throughout the Ell
tire land and hailed by every patriot
citizen as an earnest that the Dnio
has really and in fact been saved i
sentiment and in spirit, with all tn
benefits it vouchafes to a united peopl,
cannot rid myself of the belief tina
the least dscord on this propitiou
| occasion MIGHT retard the nroorass r